VAADABase
Transforming Data for AOD Treatment Services
The Overview
VAADA, the peak body for Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) services in Victoria, partnered with Latitude Network to launch VAADABase, an innovative pilot data collaboration project designed to empower Victorian AOD treatment services with enhanced control and improved access to de-identified client data.
Through this partnership, VAADABase has introduced user-friendly and bespoke data dashboards, enabling participating organisations to transform complex datasets into clear insights that inform better decision making, service delivery and treatment planning.
Running since early 2024, the pilot currently includes 15 organisations and is expanding to include more AOD services in 2025.
The Challenge
Victorian AOD treatment services have long faced challenges in accessing and analysing client data.
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Service providers lack access to sector-wide insights into AOD trends, demographics, gaps and needs both within their local area and across the state.
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The absence of timely data has made it difficult to adapt services and resources to client needs.
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Individual organisations operated in silos, missing opportunities to share knowledge and data-driven wisdom.
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These issues highlighted the need for a collaborative approach to data collection and analysis that could provide a clearer picture of sector wide challenges and opportunities while ensuring data security and privacy compliance.
The Solution
VAADABase provides a structured approach to data sharing and analysis, creating a robust system that benefits all participating organisations.
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Here’s How it Works:
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Collaboration Framework:
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The project is governed by a Project Executive Group whose members are the participating organisations - ensuring decisions are driven by AOD services themselves
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Participating organisations provide a co-contribution to join the project and sign a data-sharing agreement with Latitude Network, the project’s trusted third-party data custodian.
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Monthly contributions of VADC XML data are securely shared for aggregation and analysis.
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Data Infrastructure and Privacy:
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A secure central storage system safeguards all data, and Latitude Network applies an additional de-identification process to ensure privacy compliance.
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Bespoke Dashboards:
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Participating organisations receive customised dashboards that provide more timely insights into client information, demographics, drugs of concern, and mental health among other data.
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Proposed enhancements, including new features like heat mapping and service flow analysis, are introduced quarterly through collaborative feedback sessions.
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Learning and Collaboration:
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Executive and data working groups meet regularly to guide project direction and ensure dashboards remain fit for purpose.
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Learning Labs provide a space for organisations to analyse sector wide data and share best practices, fostering collaboration and driving innovation.
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VAADABase empowers organisations to gain valuable insights into their current service delivery, client demographics, and trends as well as inform data-driven decision making to support service delivery and ultimately client outcomes.
Chris Christoforou, CEO, VAADA
The Outcome
The VAADABase pilot has already delivered benefits to the sector, with participating organisations praising its impact:
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Empowering Services - The dashboards put the power of data directly into the hands of AOD services, allowing them to understand their operations, client demographics and outcomes in ways that were previously inaccessible.
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Enhanced Decision Making - With access to more timely visual insights, organisations can make data-driven decisions to improve service delivery and outcomes.
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Collaborative Progress - By working together, providers have established a culture of collaboration, enabling sector wide improvements and more effective advocacy efforts with policymakers.
Why it Matters
This initiative goes beyond improving individual organisations.
By creating a shared data infrastructure, the project has established a foundation for long term sector growth and impact.
It demonstrates the power of collaboration and how data can be used as a tool for collective problem solving and advocacy.
What's Next
VAADABase is expanding in 2025 to include additional organisations and new features.
With a focus on creating a data-driven learning network, the project aims to transform how Victorian AOD services collaborate, advocate and deliver impactful solutions.
Participating agencies continue to lead the way in demonstrating the power of data to drive change in complex social systems.
By putting the power of data directly in the hands of service providers, VAADABase ensures decisions are informed, timely and impactful.
